In the 2025 spring semester, SAFES will host a series of talks to highlight Penn State's ongoing PFAS research/extension efforts and analytical lab capacity.
The talks will enable faculty across the university to engage with each other on the latest PFAS-related science and policy topics, including PFAS fate and transport in agroecosystems, toxicology and risks to human health from PFAS, and the potential for growing hemp as PFAS phytoremediation strategy. We hope to grow the community of PFAS researchers at Penn State and see many interdisciplinary partnerships emerge from these conversations. If you have questions about any of the talks or about the series in general, please send them to Aaron Cook (cook@psu.edu).
Talks:
Thursday, January 30, 2025
Faith Kibuye - Water Resources Extension Associate
Title: Introduction to PFAS in Agricultural Systems
Time: 11:00am - 12:00pm
Location: 118 Agricultural Sciences and Industries Building and Zoom
Recording: Intro to PFAS in Ag Systems.mp4
Links and other resources: Slides - Intro to PFAS in Ag Systems.pdf
Notes:
- Around 41:50, the question was "What about fluorinated pesticides as another source? I think recently several pesticides have been identified as containing PFAS compounds."
- Around 47:30, the question was "You talked briefly about the purging of PFAS from animals. How do they purge animals of PFAS, and how cost-effective is it?"
Thursday, February 27, 2025
Heather Preisendanz - Professor of Agricultural and Biological Engineering
Tamie Veith - Agricultural Engineer, USDA Agricultural Research Service
Title: PFAS Fate and Transport in Agroecosystems and Rural Water Supplies
Time: 11:00am - 12:00pm
Location: 118 Agricultural Sciences and Industries Building and Zoom
Recording: PFAS Fate and Transport.mp4
Links and other resources: Slides - PFAS Fate and Transport.pdf
Notes:
- Tamela Trussell (founder of Move Past Plastic) has been talking with NOAA about ways to identify where PFAS might be accumulating in sediment, looking at where runoff is occurring or where buffering is preventing sediment loads from entering waterways. If anyone is interested to talk more about setting up this type of testing and monitoring system, please get in touch with Tamela at movepastplastic@gmail.com.
Thursday, March 27, 2025
Jack Vanden Heuvel - Professor of Molecular Toxicology
Title: PFAS Toxicology and Human Health Risks
Time: 11:00am - 12:00pm
Location: 118 Agricultural Sciences and Industries Building and Zoom
Abstract:
Recording:
Links and other resources:
Thursday, April 10, 2025
Daniela Carrijo - Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist for Grain Crop Production
Kelly Kosiarski - PhD student, Agricultural and Biological Engineering
Title: PFAS Crop Uptake and Phytoremediation
Time: 11:00am - 12:00pm
Location: 118 Agricultural Sciences and Industries Building and Zoom
Abstract:
Recording:
Links and other resources:
Thursday, April 24, 2025
Odette Mina - Managing Director of the Energy and Environmental Sustainability Laboratories
Hlengilizwe Nyoni - Assistant Research Professor, lead researcher in the Environmental Contaminants Analytical Laboratories
Title: PFAS Analytical Capabilities at Penn State
Time: 11:00am - 12:00pm
Location: 118 Agricultural Sciences and Industries Building and Zoom
Abstract:
Recording:
Links and other resources:
